2018 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks 7-round mock

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the Seattle Seahawks need a strong 2018 draft class to regain their footing at the top of the NFC West.

Perhaps no team in the NFL will have a more drastic shift in team identity next season as the Seattle Seahawks. After a disappointing end to the season, GM John wilSchneider and head coach Pete Carroll have hinted at major changes incoming.

Rumors have swirled around the fates of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Michael Bennett (traded to the Eagles), all key cogs in the Seattle defense that will go down as one of the best of all time.

The Seahawks currently have no selections in the second, third, or sixth rounds, something that I expect will change quite a bit by draft day. I’d expect Seattle to both trade down from the 18th pick, as well as finding ways to rack up some picks in the second and third rounds. A rebuild on the fly, if you will.

For now, though, this mock will focus on players who I believe the team is targeting rather than going with an accurate round-by-round match.

1st round

Derwin James

S, Florida State

The Seahawks love athletes on defense and Florida State’s Derwin James is one of the best athletes in this entire draft class.

For the first time since the inception of the Legion of Boom, the secondary is one of Seattle’s biggest question marks heading into the 2018 season. Rumors have been floated of Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman both being on the trade block, while it’s unclear whether Kam Chancellor will ever suit up for the team again following last season’s neck injury.

Derwin James could come in right away and make an impact on a Seahawks defense that has been bitten by the injury and age bug over the past few seasons. He has the size and world-class speed to line up all over the field and make the type of impact ‘Hawks fans have been accustomed to seeing from the Legion of Boom.

By all accounts, James is a leader in the locker room and I firmly believe that these qualities will be highly-sought by John Schneider and Pete Carroll heading into this draft. It’s possible that James isn’t available anywhere near the 18th pick, and drafting him will be compounded further if Seattle decides to trade down to acquire more picks in rounds two and three. Regardless, I think that the Seahawks covet James and won’t hesitate to select him at this spot if he’s still on the board.

**The Seahawks don’t have a selection in the second and third rounds.**